Golden Eagles Face Threats From Wind Power Expansion, Scientists Propose Solutions

Wind energy is a renewable and clean source of power that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

However, wind energy also poses some challenges for wildlife, especially for birds of prey such as golden eagles.

Golden eagles are large and majestic raptors that inhabit open landscapes across the Northern Hemisphere.

They are vulnerable to collisions with wind turbines and power lines, as well as habitat loss and disturbance from wind energy development.

Avoidance and minimization

(Photo : Ronald Dumont/Express/Getty Images)

The first and most effective step in the mitigation hierarchy is to avoid or minimize the potential impacts of wind energy on golden eagles.

This can be achieved by careful planning, siting, and design of wind energy projects, as well as by implementing operational measures to reduce collision risk.

Planning, siting, and design

Wind energy projects should avoid or minimize areas that are important for golden eagles, such as nesting, foraging, roosting, and migration habitats.

These areas can be identified by conducting pre-construction surveys and monitoring, as well as by using existing data and models.

Wind energy projects should also consider the cumulative effects of multiple projects on the landscape and regional population of golden eagles.

Wind turbines and power lines should be designed to reduce their visibility and attractiveness to golden eagles, such as by using anti-perching devices, bird flight diverters, or underground cables.

Operational measures

Wind energy projects should implement operational measures to reduce collision risk for golden eagles, such as by curtailment, deterrence, or detection systems.

Curtailment involves shutting down or feathering the wind turbines during periods of high collision risk, such as low visibility, high wind speed, or peak migration.

Deterrence involves using devices or techniques to scare away golden eagles from approaching the wind turbines, such as by using sound, light, or visual stimuli.

Detection systems involve using sensors or cameras to detect the presence of golden eagles near the wind turbines and trigger an appropriate response, such as curtailment or deterrence.

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Compensatory mitigation

The second step in the mitigation hierarchy is to compensate for the residual impacts of wind energy on golden eagles that cannot be avoided or minimized.

This can be achieved by implementing conservation actions that enhance or restore the habitat and population of golden eagles.

Conservation actions

Wind energy projects should implement conservation actions that benefit golden eagles, such as by protecting or improving their nesting and foraging habitats, reducing other sources of mortality (such as poisoning, shooting, or electrocution), or enhancing their reproductive success (such as by providing artificial nests or fostering chicks).

These actions should be based on sound scientific evidence and best practices, and should be monitored and evaluated for their effectiveness.

Wind energy projects should also contribute to a compensation fund that supports regional or national conservation efforts for golden eagles.

It is a vital component of the transition to a low-carbon economy, but it also poses some challenges for wildlife conservation.

Golden eagles are among the species that are most affected by wind energy development, due to their vulnerability to collisions and habitat loss.

However, there are ways to mitigate the impacts of wind energy on golden eagles, by following the mitigation hierarchy of avoidance, minimization, and compensation.

By applying these measures, wind energy projects can reduce their negative effects on golden eagles and ensure their coexistence with this magnificent raptor.

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